There are several ways of acquiring Dutch citizenship. You automatically become a Dutch citizen if one of your parents holds Dutch citizenship when you are born. Or if paternity is acknowledged by a Dutch citizen. Or through either the option procedure or naturalisation. Foreign citizens can apply for Dutch citizenship if they have lived in the Netherlands legally for at least 5 years. Show
How to become a Dutch citizenThere are 3 ways to become a Dutch citizen:
For more information on how to become a Dutch citizen, contact the municipality where you live. That is also where you have to submit your application. The Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) provides more information about becoming a Dutch citizen through either the option procedure or naturalisation and about the costs of becoming a Dutch citizen. Rights of Dutch citizensIn the Netherlands all basic rights are laid down in the Constitution. Being a Dutch citizen means you can enter the Netherlands freely. Other rights that only apply to Dutch citizens are the right to vote and stand for election in parliamentary elections and the right to join the armed forces. People who hold Dutch citizenship can also apply for a Dutch passport and travel freely within the European Union (EU). Go to ‘What will change if I acquire Dutch citizenship?’ to find out more. Giving up citizenship of other countriesIn principle, you will have to give up any other citizenship you hold of any other country. There are some exceptions to this rule. Acquiring or regaining citizenship of the Netherlands in another countryFormer citizens of the Netherlands and some non-Dutch citizens who live in other countries can apply to regain or acquire Dutch citizenship. The IND brochure How can you regain your Dutch citizenship? (pdf, 261 kB) explains what former citizens of the Netherlands have to do to acquire Dutch citizenship again. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a section of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for the qualifications and determination of eligibility to become a naturalized as a U.S. citizen. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is the federal law that defines U.S. immigration policy and citizenship and naturalization eligibility. If you are a U.S. legal permanent resident (LPR) – you have a green card – and you want to become a citizen, you cannot apply for U.S. citizenship to become naturalized until you have lived in the United States for at least five years as a legal permanent resident. If you are married to a U.S. citizen that statutory as a legal permanent resident may be reduced to three years. In order for this exception to apply, you must be a legal permanent resident that was married to a U.S. citizen during that three-year period. If you are a conditional resident, not a permanent resident, due to a recent marriage to a U.S. citizen or through a business investor visa, your two years as a conditional resident count towards your total time as a permanent residence. Generally, you must remove your conditions prior to USCIS granting your naturalization application. Qualifications to Become a U.S. CitizenIn addition to being a legal permanent resident for 5 years, to become a naturalized American citizen you must meet the following requirements. Residency Requirements
Eligibility Qualifications
There are other exceptions to the residency requirements and other citizenship qualifications; an experienced immigration and naturalization lawyer can assess your case and provide personal advice or assistance with the application process. The attorneys at Godoy Law Office work with you to evaluate your immigration status and guide you in your journey to becoming a US citizen. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office online. Can a green card holder apply for citizenship after 3 years?You may file Form N-400 ninety (90) calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a: • Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or • Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.
How long does it take to get U.S. citizenship after green card?To become a U.S. citizen, you must: Have had a Permanent Resident (Green) Card for at least five years, or for at least three years if you're filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen.
How long does a permanent resident have to wait to become a citizen?In general, you may qualify for naturalization if you are at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet all other eligibility requirements.
How hard is it to get U.S. citizenship after green card?If you're a green card holder with no special circumstances, you can apply for United States citizenship at least five years after obtaining your green card. You also must have physically lived in the U.S. for at least 30 months (two-and-a-half years) out of those five years.
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